Bayern v Chelsea: Head-to-head

The bookies currently make Bayern Munich favourites to win a fifth European Cup when facing Chelsea at their own Allianz Arena on Saturday night.

However, having beaten Barcelona in the semi-finals, Chelsea are not to be underestimated and both coaches have been at pains to point out that they expect a very even contest in the build up to the Champions League final.

But which club possess the more talented squad? We asked two of our experts to rate the players at Bayern and Chelsea’s disposal.

Tom Adams is marking for the British perspective, with Daniel Rathjen doing likewise for the German view.

BAYERN MUNICH

Goalkeepers:

1-MANUEL NEUER, Age 26. The Germany No.1 has played a big part in Bayern's run to the final with a superb performance in the penalty shoot-out against Real Madrid in the semis. However, he has had a few erratic performances in his debut season at Bayern since joining from Schalke 04 last summer. He might also give Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard a special handshake before kick-off after his let off when Lampard's shot clearly crossed his goalline when England played Germany in the 2010 World Cup finals but the goal was never given. (TA: 9; DR: 9)

22-HANS-JOERG BUTT, Age 37. Played in two losing Champions League finals for Bayer Leverkusen in 2002 and Bayern in 2010, but barring an injury to Neuer, the medal he collects on Saturday will probably be after spending most of the evening on the bench. Saturday also marks the end of his long playing career as he will take a coaching job at Bayern at the end of the season. (TA: 6; DR 7)

Defenders:

13-RAFINHA, Age 26. The mercurial Brazilian has failed to hold on to his starting spot since the winter break but could be back in the starting line-up because 19-year-old revelation David Alaba is suspended from the final. (TA: 6 DR: 5)

17-JEROME BOATENG, Age 23. The tall Germany central defender has added some steel and speed in the Bayern defence since joining from Manchester City last summer and has combined extremely well with Holger Badstuber, who is also suspended for the final. Although he spent the 2010-11 season in England, he did not gain much first hand experience playing Chelsea, only coming on as an 88th minute substitute against them in Sept. 2010. (TA: 7; DR: 7)

21-PHILIPP LAHM, Age 28. The captain and defensive brain of the team. The hugely consistent Germany captain usually plays as right-back but as is often the case, could move over to the left with Rafinha occupying the right side. (TA: 9; DR: 9)

26-DIEGO CONTENTO, Age 22. Has an association with Bayern going back to when he was just five years old. Born in Munich to parents from Napoli, he developed through Bayern's youth system and has a contract to next season. Although he has played only scarcely this year with just one game in this Champions League campaign, he is still young with a good future ahead of him. (TA: 5; DR: 5)

5-DANIEL VAN BUYTEN, Age 34. Played for 10 different clubs at all levels, before joining Bayern in 2006, the experienced Belgian defender had been out injured for four months but recently returned to training and could be included in Saturday's squad by coach Jupp Heynckes. (TA: 5; DR: 6)

Midfielders

7-FRANCK RIBERY, Age 29. The French winger has had his most productive season in Germany since moving from Olympique Marseille to Bayern in 2007, scoring 12 league goals and setting up another 12 for his team-mates. Ribery, who has scored another three goals in the Champions League, is desperate for a shot at the big prize after being suspended for the 2010 final. (TA: 9; DR 10)

10-ARJEN ROBBEN, Age 28. The Dutchmen scored twice in 19 Champions League matches for Chelsea during his spell in London and will no doubt relish playing against one of his former clubs. Was in the side beaten by Inter Milan in the 2010 final and is still one of the most effective wide right players. With Ribery, is the other half of the "Robbery" combination that can easily turn a game with a dazzling goal or a surging run. However one criticism is that he too often tries to go it alone. (TA: 10; DR 9)

23-DANIJEL PRANJIC, Age 30. The versatile Croat has dropped further down the pecking order and could be in the Bayern squad for the last time. Was on the bench for the 2010 Champions League defeat to Inter. (TA: 5; DR: 4)

31-BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER, Age 27. The heartbeat of the side, his injuries this season have proved to be costly for Bayern. The holding midfielder, who first played in the Champions League for Bayern nearly 10 years ago, has admitted he is still trying to find his best form after a broken collarbone and ankle injury ruled him out for several months this season. Another looking for a winner's medal after the loss to Inter. (TA: 9; DR: 9)

39-TONI KROOS, Age 22. Has been sensational this season, consolidating his Germany spot ahead of the Euros. Possesses a thundering shot and peripheral vision that allows him to slice open defences with pin-point passes even from long range. (TA: 8; DR: 7)

44-ANATOLIY TYMOSHCHUK, Age 32. With more than 100 caps for Ukraine he has also won titles in Ukraine with Shakhtar Donetsk, in Russia with Zenit St Petersburg and in Germany with Bayern. Now 32, he is more often used as a substitute. Enjoys venturing forward and trying his luck with long-range efforts, however, he may well start at centre-back with Badstuber suspensed. (TA: 6; DR: 6)

Forwards:

9-NILS PETERSEN, Age 23. Joined Bayern from Energie Cottbus in July last year and has had to bide his time on the bench, being used as an occasional substitute. (TA: 5; DR: 4)

11-IVICA OLIC, Age 32. Won the UEFA Cup with CSKA Moscow in 2005 and would love to add the Champions League to his personal medals chest after ending on the losing side with Bayern against Inter two years ago. Has won titles in his native Croatia and Russia as well as Germany. This will be his final competitive game for the club, and he still retains great ability to move inside the box and score plenty of goals. (TA: 6; DR: 7)

25-THOMAS MUELLER, Age 22. A versatile player who can fit in as an attacking midfielder or wide man with goals in his boots. Has had a consistent season and is a threat if left unmarked in or around the box. (TA: 8; DR: 9)

33-MARIO GOMEZ, Age 26. Came on as a late substitute when Bayern lost the 2010 final - but could play a far more significant role in this season's final following a stunning Champions League season, scoring 12 goals so far. He also finished second on goals in the Bundesliga, with a tally of 26. A workhorse outside the box, he is lethal in front of goal and if he is on fire, Chelsea, with their weakened defence, could well be in danger. (TA: 9; DR: 9)

TOTALS (out of 170).

Tom Adams: 122; Daniel Rathjen 122

CHELSEA

Goalkeepers

1-PETR CECH, Age 29. After spells at Sparta Prague and Rennes, he joined Chelsea for £7 million in 2004. Wears a distinctive rugby-style scrum cap following a head injury against Reading in October 2006. After a shaky start to this season, has largely been back to his best. Turns 30 the day after the final. (TA: 8; DR: 9)

22-ROSS TURNBULL, Age 27. A former England Under-20 international who joined Chelsea three years ago from Middlesbrough. Has moved ahead of Hilario as Cech's stand-in. Only made a handful of appearances this season, but got sent off in a League Cup tie at Everton in October. (TA: 4; DR: 4)

Defenders

3-ASHLEY COLE, Age 31. Widely regarded as one of the best left-backs in the world. Became the first man to win seven FA Cup winners medals when Chelsea beat Liverpool in the final on May 5, and England's most capped full back with 93 appearances. His late goal-line clearance against Napoli in the first leg of the last 16 in February effectively kept Chelsea in the competition. Lost the 2006 Champions League final with Arsenal and the 2008 one with Chelsea. (TA:10; DR: 9)

4-DAVID LUIZ, Age 25. The curly-haired Brazilian has been out of the side for the last month after injuring his hamstring against Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup semi-final on April 15 but is optimistic about being fit for Saturday. Has had an erratic spell at Stamford Bridge after joining from Benfica in Jan. 2011. (TA: 6; DR: 6)

24-GARY CAHILL, Age 26. Joined Chelsea from Bolton Wanderers for £7m in January and has a chance of winning a Champions League medal while his old club have just been relegated. Like Luiz he has not played since last month after injuring a hamstring in the second leg of the semi-final against Barcelona, but said after training on Tuesday he was fit enough to play in the final. (TA: 7; DR: 6)

17-JOSE BOSINGWA, Age 29. Was an unused substitute when Porto won the Champions League in 2004, and joined Chelsea just after they lost the 2008 final. Could miss out again as he is not a regular starter for Chelsea although he did play as a substitute in both semi-final legs against Barcelona and, with Branislav Ivanovic suspended, is favourite to start at right-back. (TA: 5; DR 8)

34-RYAN BERTRAND, Age 22. Highly regarded young defender who has made a handful of Premier League appearances in the closing stages of the season. Could find himself included in the squad for Saturday because of the suspensions ruling out John Terry and Ivanovic and the injury worries over Luiz and possibly Cahill. (TA: 5; DR: 6)

19-PAULO FERREIRA, Age 33. At the other end of the age spectrum from Bertrand, but could be in the squad for the same reason - as defensive cover. Has rarely featured this season but played in every minute of Porto's successful Champions League campaign in 2004 before joining Chelsea. (TA: 5; DR: 5)

Midfielders

8-FRANK LAMPARD, Age 33. Terry may be missing, but the other pillar of Chelsea's success over the last decade should be present as he tries to add another winner's medal to the glittering array he has collected since joining the club from West Ham United in 2001. One winner's medal that has eluded him is a Champions League one. The icing on the cake would be to score against Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer after his shot for England beat the German in the 2010 World Cup but the goal was not awarded when officials missed it crossing the line. (TA: 9; DR: 8)

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 21: Fans pose in front of the Denis Law, George Best and Bobby Charlt …

12-JOHN OBI MIKEL, Age 25. Born in Nigeria, and played there, South Africa and Norway before joining Chelsea in 2006 - a move that provoked a legal wrangle with Manchester United. A powerful influence in midfield, has been a major influence in Chelsea's advance to the final. (TA: 6; DR: 7)

15-FLORENT MALOUDA, Age 31. Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo said this week that Malouda was "touch and go" for the final nursing a hamstring injury suffered in the first half of the last match of the Premier League campaign against Blackburn Rovers. Has had his critics at Stamford Bridge but the France international has featured in almost every match this season. (TA: 6; DR: 7)

6-ORIEL ROMEU, Age 20. The young Spaniard featured more regularly before Andre Villas-Boas was sacked but has only had limited exposure since Di Matteo took control. Briefly involved with Barcelona's senior side after playing nearly 50 games for Barcelona B. Could get a chance because of Chelsea's injury concerns and suspensions. A sound deep-lying midfielder. (TA: 6; DR: 5)

5-MICHAEL ESSIEN, Age 29. Has suffered a spate of injuries and missed the first half of the season, only returning in January and making his first Premier League start of the campaign in the 3-3 draw against Manchester United in February. Strong, inspirational midfield bedrock whose best days may be behind him but he is still a formidable player. (TA: 7; DR: 8)

Forwards

9-FERNANDO TORRES, Age 28. The Spaniard suffered a well-documented goal drought after moving from Liverpool for a record fee between British clubs when he cost Chelsea £50m in Jan. 2011. Could hardly stop scoring at either Atletico Madrid or Liverpool but, following his move to Stamford Bridge, the goals dried up until very recently. Scored a fine hat-trick against Queen Park Rangers in April, five days after his superb solo goal at Barcelona which sealed Chelsea's place in the final. (TA: 7; DR: 8)

10-JUAN MATA, Age 24. Has enjoyed a fine first season at Chelsea following his move from Valencia last summer and was voted Chelsea's Player of the Year last week. Intelligent, gifted ball-player who sits in the hole behind the front men and provides them with plenty of opportunities. Scored a blistering volley against Manchester United in February. Is a possible match-winner for Chelsea on Saturday. (TA: 9; DR: 9)

11-DIDIER DROGBA, Age 34. Became the first man to score in four FA Cup finals when he found the net against Liverpool on May 5 and also possesses the astonishing record of scoring in all eight competitive matches he has played at Wembley. The powerfully built Ivory Coast international has led the Chelsea line for the last eight years but there is widespread speculation that Saturday's match could be his last for the club. (TA: 9; DR: 9)

21-SALOMON KALOU, Age 26. Spent most of the time on the bench or out of the side while Villas-Boas was in charge, but has been playing regularly again under Di Matteo. For a front man he does a lot of defensive covering and is dangerous playing wide. Played as an extra-time substitute in the 2008 final against Manchester United and scored in the subsequent shootout, which United won. (TA: 7; DR: 8)

23-DANIEL STURRIDGE, Age 22. Started the season in outstanding scoring form and earned a first call-up to the England team, although he has not been so prolific in the second half of the season. Joined Chelsea from Manchester City in 2009 and spent time at Bolton on loan before making his mark at the Bridge. (TA: 7; DR: 7)